The Consort (The Fantasy Club #1)

By Brenna Lyons

Liz is a lonely woman, widowed before she was properly a bride. Ben was the only man for her. Now he's gone, and she has been left in agony, both physical and emotional.

Patrice has long-ago decided she's asexual. Though she tried to play the games to fit in, she's never found anyone sexually appealing.

When these two friends each receive an invitation to the exclusive Fantasy Club, they decide to go, just to satisfy their interfering friends...whichever of them spent the money to send them to the club. Once there, they learn about the true magic of the club. It's not called Little Olympus for kicks. But, can even the gods of Olympus make a happily ever after for two lost causes like these?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fireborn Publishing
• Release date: Apr 5, 2016
• ISBN: 9781941984666

Brenna Lyons

Brenna Lyons wears many hats, sometimes all on the same day: ex-president of EPIC, author of more than 100 published works, teacher, wife, mother... She's a member of ERWA, IWOFA, Broad Universe, and more than 60 other author groups. She's taken Spinetingler's Book of the Year for 2007, and she's also finaled for multiple times for the EPPIE, PEARL (including one HM, second to Angela Knight), CAPA, and once for a Dream Realm Award. Brenna writes in 25 established worlds plus stand-alone fiction books and stories, poetry, articles, and essays. She's a bestseller in indie/e fantasy and horror, straight genre and cross-genres thereof. Brenna has been termed "one of the most deviant erotic minds in the publishing world...not for the weak." (Rachelle for Fallen Angels Reviews) Milieu-heavy dark work is practically Brenna's calling card, with or without the erotic content. She teaches classes in everything from POV studies to advanced editing, networking to marketing.

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Blurb

Liz is a lonely woman, widowed before she was properly a bride. Ben was the only man for her. Now he's gone, and she has been left in agony, both physical and emotional.

Patrice has long-ago decided she's asexual. Though she tried to play the games to fit in, she's never found anyone sexually appealing.

When these two friends each receive an invitation to the exclusive Fantasy Club, they decide to go, just to satisfy their interfering friends…whichever of them spent the money to send them to the club. Once there, they learn about the true magic of the club. It's not called Little Olympus for kicks. But, can even the gods of Olympus make a happily ever after for two lost causes like these?

Fireborn Publishing Copyright Statement

The Consort

Copyright © 2014 by Brenna Lyons

eBook ISBN: 978-1-941984-66-6

First eBook Publication: February 2015

Cover Art by Lucinda Macias

Cover Design by Brenna Lyons

Editor: Kathy Kozakewich

Logo copyright © 2014 by Fireborn Publishing and Allison Cassatta

Licensed material is being used for illustrative purposes only. Any person depicted in the licensed material is a model.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED UNDER INTERNATIONAL AND PAN-AMERICAN COPYRIGHT CONVENTIONS: Payment for this title grants the purchaser the right to download and read this file on any/all personal electronic devices personally owned by the purchaser, now or in the future, and to maintain backup copies of the file for the purchaser's personal use. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or electronic storage and retrieval, without permission in writing from the publisher.

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All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is strictly coincidental.

This book is written in US English.

PUBLISHER

PO Box 5216

Haverhill, MA 01835

Dedication

To Tamer, the one I was born for.

Trademarks Acknowledgement

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

Coke: The Coca-Cola Company

Speedo: Speedo International Limited

Popsicle: Conopco, Inc.

MedicAlert: MedicAlert Foundation United States, Inc.

Chapter One

The Fantasy Club, Opening Night

Jack Jupiter looked out over the assembled members and clients in his office. The rules are understood? he asked solemnly.

You're certain your wards will be strong enough? Steven asked. If they're not—

Jupe raised a hand to still his words of caution. You are not the first of your kind to seek this, he assured the Beast. The Warriors cannot enter the grounds.

He smiled weakly. What would I have to do to stay here permanently?

Because your gods will not permit it, I cannot grant you that.

I know. He sighed in defeat, much as every Beast Jupe had met had done. The Stone permits us only the night.

I am afraid so.

Jupe scanned his gaze to the next man in line. He nodded silently. They had discussed his fantasy many times over the years he'd worked in the club, and the time was right.

Still, this would be the greatest challenge the Fantasy Club had encountered in a century or more. Jupe prayed the interplay of attendees would work out as planned. If it didn't, they might fail, for the first time in the history of the club.

He focused his attention on Michael.

The young man shifted nervously. Will this really work?

Jupe chuckled. The human members were always hardest to convince. The otherworldly members never doubted what Jupe and his staff were capable of. Assuredly. Are you certain this is your wish?

Absolutely.

Then it is as good as done.

He smiled and managed a shaky nod.

The one female member in presence, Elise, didn't question Jupe. Her membership was an inheritance, passed down, mother to daughter for generations, a gift from an esteemed relative.

Elise? he prodded her. The members or clients had to agree to the rules for the contract to be binding.

She nodded. He is the right one.

If the forms have been observed, you cannot be mistaken.

They have, she assured him.

"Then this meeting is ended. Steven, my staff has found your match, as promised. The rest of you may leave the details in the outer office, if you have not already done so.

They left quietly. No discussion was exchanged between the members. Fantasies were a private matter.

Just as it should be.

Jupe glanced at the final member in the room, the one the others hadn't noticed. She has been sent for, my friend. You have my word.

Rain didn't answer. He didn't need to answer. A slight tip of his head was all Jupe needed to see.

* * * *

Jupe stopped cold at the sight of his old friend. Eric stared out at the expansive gardens. Rather, he stared through the gardens to some faraway place where a woman waited for a package Jupe had sent to her only moments ago.

Eric lived in the Fantasy Club, as Jupe and a few dozen other staff members did, at least part time. Over the years, his old friend had taken advantage of the club's services to fill his needs many times.

But it never sticks, Eric grumbled, proving he could hear Jupe's inner monologue.

Jupe sighed. No. It never does. Maybe this time… But he didn't continue.

It's ironic, you know. I match so many couples, but I'm pretty much a failure when it comes to my own relationships.

I wouldn't call you a failure, Jupe protested. How long did your last—

Eric turned on him. Not long enough. His eyes were shadowed, and his skin pale.

This is what

Reviews for The Consort (The Fantasy Club #1)

[Jericho Franke · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

APHOBIA: "But you're not frigid, and you know that now. You're not asexual either. Your problem was the partners you chose."